Serbia claims Kosovo sovereignty
Serbia's parliament has unanimously approved a new constitution that claims sovereignty over the UN administered province of Kosovo.
The move, passed during a special session of parliament, opposes calls for the ethnic Albanian majority in Kosovo to be given independence.
Kosovo has been run by the UN since Nato intervened in 1999 to stop Serbia expelling the ethnic Albanian majority.
The proposed constitution will now face a referendum before it becomes valid.
Serbia's Prime Minister, Vojislav Kostunica, has indicated a referendum would also be followed by early elections, although he has not specified a date.
The UN has been hosting talks on the status of Kosovo; it has said the issue could be resolved this year.
'Integral part'
Mr Kostunica said the country's new constitution would provide a strong legal foundation for Serbia and allow it to move closer to European standards and values.
Mr Kostunica said there was no need to wait for the Kosovo issue to be settled before adopting the new constitution.
Instead, he said it would "cement the truth that Kosovo always has been and always will be an integral part of Serbia".
Until now Serbia has been operating under the old constitution of the former President, Slobodan Milosevic.
Well, it's about time, and way over due... |